U.S. patent number 5,269,409 [Application Number 07/590,388] was granted by the patent office on 1993-12-14 for package for at least one disc provided with a central center hole.
This patent grant is currently assigned to U.S. Philips Corporation. Invention is credited to Rolf D. Brandt, Hermann Grobecker, Werner Heuer.
United States Patent |
5,269,409 |
Brandt , et al. |
December 14, 1993 |
Package for at least one disc provided with a central center
hole
Abstract
A package having a plurality of rectangular component parts
pivotably connected to one another about parallel swiveling axes.
These parts include at least one disc carrier, having clamping
elements for holding a disc to the carrier, as an intermediate part
arranged between two covers. Swiveling axes for interconnecting the
intermediate parts to each other and to the covers are situated
alternately at opposite ends of the parts, so that the package
opens into a zig-zag configuration. A cover may have an end portion
arranged for positioning a thick textual insert having a spine, to
allow text on the spine to be read through the end wall of the
package. A single disc and a text insert over 3 mm thick can be
stored in a package having principal dimensions the same as the
standard individual CD package. For storing a plurality of discs, a
disc carrier may have clamping elements on opposite sides of the
carrier, preferably formed simultaneously with the carrier as one
injection molding.
Inventors: |
Brandt; Rolf D. (Hanover,
DE), Grobecker; Hermann (Garbsen, DE),
Heuer; Werner (Lehrte, DE) |
Assignee: |
U.S. Philips Corporation (New
York, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
6390413 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/590,388 |
Filed: |
September 28, 1990 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Sep 28, 1989 [DE] |
|
|
3932425 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/303; 206/310;
206/311; G9B/33.015 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B
33/045 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G11B
33/04 (20060101); B65D 085/30 () |
Field of
Search: |
;206/311,312,310,444,493,309 ;220/6,23.2 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Meyers; Steven N.
Assistant Examiner: Patterson; M. D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Treacy; David R.
Claims
We claim:
1. A package for a plurality of discs, each disc having a central
hole, said package comprising a pluraliyt of rectangular component
parts swivellably connected to one another about parallel swiveling
axes, said pluraliyt of component parts consisting of at least one
intermediate disc carrier having a clamping element for securing a
disc via its central hole, and two covers each having a major
surface respectively arranged on opposite sides of the intermediate
disc carrier, in a closed condition of the package said covers and
intermediate disc carrier being substantially parallel each
other,
characterized in that said intermediate disc carrier is swivellably
connected to one of said covers at one end of the carrier, and is
swivellably connected to an adjoining one of the other, of said
plurality of component parts at the other end of the carrier, the
package thus opening into a zigzag shape, and
said intermediate disc carrier comprises two side walls each
extending between said ends, in said closed condition each side
wall laterally covering a corresponding side edge of the cover,
whereby said cover is protected from damage.
2. A package as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the
swivelling axes at opposite ends of said intermediate disc carrier
are arranged on opposite outer sides of said intermediate disc
carrier.
3. A package as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said
intermediate disc carrier comprises two clamping elements, one on
each side of the carrier, said clamping element being formed by
coaxial circular arrangements of regularly distributed pegs having
intermediate spaces therebetween, each peg on one side of the
carrier being opposite an intermediate space on the other side.
4. A package as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said
intermediate disc carrier is a unitary injection-molded part.
5. A package as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said
covers have side walls having a thinner portion approximately in
the center between said ends, for avoiding contact between the
cover and a disc stored on a side of the intermediate carrier
adjacent either cover.
6. A package as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that said
covers are formed of a transparent material, each cover comprising
a transverse extension at the end adjacent the swivelling
connection of the respective cover, said extension having a
sufficient depth perpendicular to said major surface to accommodate
a text-bearing insert having a corresponding spine side, whereby
any text on the insert spine can be read from the outside of the
package.
7. A package as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that each said
side wall completely covers said corresponding side edge of the
cover, whereby said cover is completely protected from damage.
8. A package for a plurality of discs, each disc having a central
hole, said package comprising a pluraliyt of rectangular component
parts swivelling axes, said pluraliyt of component parts including
an intermediate disc carrier having a clamping element for securing
a disc via its central hole, and two covers each having a major
surface respectively arranged on opposite outer sides of the
intermediate disc carrier, in a closed condition of the package
said covers and intermediate disc carrier being substantially
parallel each other,
characterized in that said intermediate disc carrier is swivellably
connected to one of said covers at one end of the carrier, and is
swivellably connected to another adjoining component part at the
other end of the carrier, the package thus opening into a zigzag
shape,
said intermediate disc carrier comprises two side walls each
extending between said ends, in said closed condition each side
wall laterally covering a corresponding side edge of the cover,
whereby said cover is protected from damage, and
said intermediate disc carrier comprises two clamping elements, one
of each side of the carrier, said clamping elements being formed by
coaxial circular arrangements of regularly distributed pegs having
intermediate spaces therebetween, each peg on one side of the
carrier being opposite an intermediate space on the other side.
9. A package as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that said
intermediate disc carrier is a unitary injection-molded part.
10. A package as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the
swivelling axes at opposite ends of said intermediate disc carrier
are arranged on opposite outer sides of said intermediate disc
carrier.
11. A package as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that said
covers are formed of a transparent material, each cover comprising
a transverse extension at the end adjacent the swivelling
connection of the respective cover, said extension having a
sufficient depth perpendicular to said major surface to accommodate
a text-bearing insert having a corresponding spine side, whereby
any text on the insert spine can be read from the outside of the
package.
12. A package as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that said
covers are formed of a transparent material, each cover comprising
a transverse extension at the end adjacent the swivelling
connection of the respective cover, said extension having a
sufficient depth perpendicular to said major surface to accommodate
a text-bearing insert having a corresponding spine side, whereby
any text on the insert spine can be read from the outside of the
package.
13. A package as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that said
intermediate disc carrier connected to said one cover is a first
intermediate disc carrier, and the package comprises a further
intermediate disc carrier and at least one intermediate part,
said further intermediate carrier including a clamping element for
securing a disc via its central hole,
said intermediate part being shaped approximately the same as two
said covers joined back-to-back, said intermediate part being
swivellably connected at one end to said first intermediate disc
carrier, and being swivellably connected at an opposite end to said
further intermediate carrier, said intermediate part acting as a
cover for discs stored on respective adjacent sides of the first
and further intermediate disc carriers.
14. A package as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that in said
closed condition each side wall completely covers a corresponding
side edge of the cover connected thereto.
15. A package as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that a
separate text insert is provided for each disc.
16. A package as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that said
intermediate disc carrier connected to said one cover is a first
intermediate disc carrier, and the package comprises a further
intermediate disc carrier and at least one intermediate part,
said further intermediate carrier including a clamping element for
securing a disc via its central hole,
said intermediate part being shaped approximately the same as two
said covers joined back-to-back, said intermediate part being
swivellably connected at one end to said first intermediate disc
carrier, and being swivellably connected at an opposite end to said
further intermediate carrier, said intermediate part acting as a
cover for discs stored on respective adjacent sides of the first
and further intermediate disc carriers.
17. A package as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the
swivelling axes at opposite ends of said intermediate disc carrier
are arranged on opposite outer sides of said intermediate disc
carrier.
18. A package for a disc having a central hole, said package
comprising a plurality of rectangular component parts swivellably
connected to one another about parallel swivelling axes, said
plurality of component parts including an intermediate disc carrier
having a clamping element for securing a disc via its central hole,
and two covers each having a major surface respectively arranged on
opposite outer sides of the intermediate disc carrier, in a closed
condition of the package said covers and intermediate disc carrier
being substantially parallel each other,
characterized in that said intermediate disc carrier is swivellably
connected to one of said covers at one end of the carrier, and is
swivellably connected to another adjoining component part at the
other end of the carrier, the package thus opening into a zigzag
shape,
said intermediate disc carrier comprises two side walls each
extending between said ends, in said closed condition each side
wall laterally covering a corresponding side edge of the cover,
whereby said cover is protected from damage, and
said covers are formed of a transparent material, each cover
comprising a transverse extension at the end adjacent the
swivelling connection of the respective cover, at least one said
extension having a sufficient depth perpendicular to said major
surface to accommodate a text-bearing insert having a corresponding
spine side, whereby any text on the insert spine can be read from
the outside of the package.
19. A package as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that a
separate text insert is provided for each disc.
20. A package as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that the
swivelling axes at opposite ends of said intermediate disc carrier
are arranged on opposite outer sides of said intermediate disc
carrier.
21. A package as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that said
intermediate disc carrier has one clamping element only; said
another adjoining component part is the other cover; and only one
of said covers accommodates a thick text insert having a spine.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a package for at least one disc provided
with a central center hole, the package comprising a plurality of
rectangular component parts connected to one another so as to be
swivellable about parallel swivelling axes, said component parts
including two covers arranged on mutually opposite outer sides, and
an intermediate disc carrier part which is arranged between the
said covers and carries clamping elements which serve to secure a
disc in the region of the center hole.
2. Description of the Related Art
A package of the kind referred to above is known, for example, from
U.S. Pat. 4,535,888.
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the known package for packaging
digital, optically readable audio discs, the so-called standardized
compact discs or CD's. Two to four CD's 3 having a center hole 1
can be packed in the package. The package comprises three parts
connected to one another so as to be swivellable about parallel
swivelling axes 5 and 7, said parts including two covers 9,
provided at mutually opposite outer sides, and an intermediate part
11, which is provided between the said covers and acts as a disc
carrier. The two covers 9 and the disc carrier 11 have clamping
elements 15 and 13 respectively, which are assigned to clamping
arrangements 19 and 17 respectively, each of which is provided with
eight clamping elements. These are provided in a circle in such a
way that they fit with slight clamping into the center hole 1 of
the disc 3, in order to hold the disc clamped.
The known package illustrated, also referred to below as multiple
package, is suitable for packaging two, three or four discs. The
disc carrier 11 can namely be provided on only one side or on both
sides with a clamping arrangement 17, as required. The covers 9 are
always provided with clamping arrangements 19. The package is
substantially made up of component parts which are in themselves
also already used in the known package for accommodating just one
CD. This older known package is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, FIG.
2 being a diagrammatic view of the package with the cover opened
and FIG. 3 being an exploded view.
The known package according to FIGS. 2 and 3, referred to below as
individual package, comprises three plastic parts, namely a cover
21, a base 23 and a carrying element 25, provided in the base by
means of a locking connection, for a disc 27 having a center hole
29. Again there are clamping elements 27 of a clamping arrangement
29 on the carrying element. The cover 21 and the base 23 are
produced from a transparent plastic. A printed insert 31 can be
accommodated in the cover and an insert 33 can be accommodated in
the base. The two inserts are visible from outside through the
transparent cover and determine the appearance of the package. The
package can thereby be adapted to the information, e.g. music,
recorded on the disc 27. Insert 31 is pushed under the knobs 35 and
37 of the cover. Insert 33 is pushed under the carrying element 25
and is thereby enclosed in the base 23.
The two covers 9 of the multiple package correspond to the base 23,
with the carrying element 25 provided therein, of the individual
package, so that it is possible in an economical manner to use
standardized component parts for some of the parts needed for the
multiple package. Added to this is the intermediate part acting as
disc carrier 11, which can be provided on only one side or on both
sides, as required, with a clamping arrangement 17 to be fitted
individually. In this way, the multiple package is suitable for
packaging two, three or four discs. In the case of the multiple
package, too, inserts corresponding to insert 33 of the individual
package are used, it thus also being possible to adapt the
appearance of the multiple package as required to the music
recorded on the CD's by the printing of the inserts used.
Because of the familiarity of the public with the packages
illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the description of further details has
been omitted. The multiple package is used by the record companies
in those cases in which the consumer is offered a quantity of
related music with a playing time which exceeds that of a single
CD. This is, for example, the case with long musical works, such as
operas, or with so-called compilation discs and the like. Practical
experience has shown, however, that, in approximately 70% of cases,
only two CD's are offered simultaneously. Packaging of only two
CD's in the known multiple package leads to the cost and the volume
of the package being relatively high in relation to the cost and
the volume of the discs offered. The multiple package comprises at
least five component parts, being the two covers 9 with the
carrying elements 39 provided therein and the disc carrier 11. In
addition to these five plastics parts there are also the two
inserts in the two covers 9. The number of component parts is thus
relatively high. A consequence of the use of the package according
to FIG. 1 is furthermore that the CD's packaged therein cannot be
readily offered for sale in the sales stands customary in the trade
since these have been designed for the much more common individual
package.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the invention to create a new package which is
eminently suitable for accommodating two discs but is also suitable
for one disc or for more discs or can at least be made suitable for
this and, furthermore, offers a number of important additional
advantages in comparison with the known prior art. For this
purpose, the package according to the invention has the
characterizing feature that the swivelling axes of the component
parts arranged between the covers are situated alternately opposite
one another, the package thus having a zigzag shape in the opened
condition. The alternate arrangement of the swivelling axes of the
covers gives rise to interesting ne possibilities for the design of
the package, for its dimensions and, depending on the area of
application, a significant reduction in the number of component
parts used or of the number of different types of component parts
used. In particular, the vertical dimension of an intermediate
part, acting as disc carrier, of a package according to the
invention can be reduced by the fact that the two swivelling axes
are no longer on the same side of the intermediate part. Thus, the
vertical dimension of the known multiple package according to FIG.
1 could be reduced if the two covers 9 were not secured on the same
side of the disc carrier 11.
Of interest in particular for the use of the packages according to
the invention for accommodating up to two discs is an embodiment of
the invention which has the characterizing feature that the two
covers are designed without clamping elements. For this embodiment,
the cover can have a smaller height and the cover is directly
suitable, more or less like the cover 21 of the known individual
package according to FIGS. 2 and 3, for accommodating an
insert.
For completeness sake it is remarked here, that a text-insert is
defined as any insert capable of carrying text or images or
both.
In this respect, a further embodiment of the invention is preferred
which has the characterizing feature that the covers are
transparent and identical and, on the side of the swivelling axes,
have a transversely running extension of sufficient depth for
accommodating a text-bearing insert having a corresponding spine
side and that the swivelling axis of each cover is arranged
eccentrically in relation to the intermediate part assigned to the
relevant cover. It is of great importance for the appearance of the
package and for user-friendliness that it should be possible to
read the titles of the packaged discs from the spine side of the
package. In the case of individual packages according to FIGS. 2
and 3, the insert 33 has a spine 41 on both sides, which is visible
from outside through the transparent base 23. Since the covers 9 of
the multiple package according to FIG. 1 are of the same design as
the base 23 with the carrying element 25 and the insert 33 of the
individual package according to FIG. 3, the multiple package
according to FIG. 1 is also provided on both sides with spine
lettering. In the case of a package according to the embodiment of
the invention just described, the cover has a vertical dimension on
the side of the swivelling axis such that a spine of the insert can
be accommodated therein, so that the package can again be provided
with spine lettering on both sides.
In the package according to the invention, it is possible to use
thin and therefore somewhat fragile covers, more specifically by
using an important embodiment of the invention which has the
characterizing feature that in the closed position each cover is
covered laterally by side parts of the intermediate part
swivellably connected to it. Apart from protection of the covers,
this embodiment also leads to an aesthetically interesting and
clean appearance of the package.
Another interesting embodiment can be combined readily with the
previous embodiment and is characterized in that the covers have
side walls having a thinner part approximately in the middle so
that contact between the disc and the cover is avoided. The side
walls improve the rigidity and the stiffness of the covers. The
middle part of each side wall has such a dimension that damage to
the disc when closing the cover is avoided. The remaining parts may
have a larger dimension and thus a larger stiffness without
increasing the overall thickness dimension of the package.
A further embodiment of interest for reducing the number of
component parts to be used in the package has the characterizing
feature that each disc carrier present is provided on both sides
with clamping elements in the form of pegs which are regularly
distributed and arranged with intermediate spaces in a circle, and
that a peg is situated on one side where an intermediate space is
provided on the other side. In this embodiment, even if clamping
elements are to be present on both sides, the disc carrier can
comprise a single component part produced by injection moulding.
This is in contrast to the known multiple package according to FIG.
1, in which the clamping arrangements 17 are formed by individual
parts which are assembled to only one or to both sides of the disc
carrier 11 as required, for example by bonding or ultrasonic
welding.
For packaging a plurality of discs, the package according to the
invention can if required be designed in accordance with an
embodiment which has the characterizing feature that the package
comprises a plurality of identical disc carriers and that, in each
case between two disc carriers present, there is an intermediate
part, the shape of which is at least approximately that of two
covers joined together back to back diametrically, and that, on
each of the two sides, the intermediate part acts as cover for the
adjacent disc carrier. Basically, the invention makes it possible
for any desired number of discs to be accommodated in this way in a
single multiple package, the package nevertheless comprising only
standardized component parts connected swivellably to one another.
It should however be apparent that a zigzag package of this kind
also has its limits since, if the number of intermediate parts is
too large, the package becomes awkward to handle and unstable.
However, this embodiment of the invention is eminently suitable for
accommodating from four to six and probably even more discs.
As will be explained later on, packages for more than two discs
designed according to the invention may have the unique feature
that each disc is accompanied by its own insert and that the spine
text of each insert is visible from the outside of the package in
the closed condition.
Another, surprisingly interesting embodiment of the invention has
the characterizing feature that the package comprises just one disc
carrier with clamping means on only one side and that the other
side of the disc carrier can be used to accommodate an unusually
thick text-insert having several pages. This embodiment can be
significant in those cases in which a manufacturer considers it
important to add comprehensive documentation to a single disc, e.g.
a CD-ROM disc. A CD-ROM disc is an optical disc conforming to the
CD standard on which data or programs are stored. The known
individual package according to FIGS. 2 and 3 is unsuitable for an
application of this kind. The known multiple package according to
FIG. 1 is of little interest for such an application because the
number of component parts used is too high and the depth of the
package is too great, and because the two covers 9 are each
provided with carrying elements 39. In the multiple package
according to FIG. 1, one of the two carrying elements 39 cannot be
omitted easily because the carrying element is necessary for
holding an insert in place. Furthermore, the omission of a carrying
element 39 would lead to the package not being completely closed on
the outside in the closed position. On the side of the swivelling
axis concerned, the package would have a slot-shaped opening, which
is very unfavourable. In the closed position of a cover 9, the
ribbed part 43 of the carrying element 39 lies over a strip 45 of
the disc carrier 11, a seal thereby being produced in the presence
of a carrying element 39.
Of great importance is a preferred embodiment of the invention
which has the characterizing feature that the package comprises
just one single disc carrier and has principal dimensions of
essentially 142.2.times.124.6.times.10.4 mm, the package thereby
having the same principal dimensions as the individual CD package
customarily used in the trade and being usable in the same way in
the sales stands customarily used in the trade for displaying CDs.
This embodiment of the invention has the same principal dimensions
as the known individual package according to FIGS. 2 and 3 and is
readily interchangeable with the known individual package in the
sales stands customary in the trade. It is thus possible to use the
new package according to the invention in the standardized sales
stands present in large numbers in the trade, with only one or with
two discs, it being possible in the first case to add an extra
thick text insert without the necessity of special measures in the
sales stands or the requirement for more space than for the known
individual packages. All of this is achieved while retaining an
interesting appearance of the package, a low number of component
parts and a correspondingly low price.
Of interest when using a package according to the invention for
packaging just one disc is a further embodiment which has the
characterizing feature that the text-bearing insert has principal
dimensions of essentially 138.times.139.times.3.3 mm. By employing
this last embodiment, the available space for accommodating a
text-bearing insert in the package according to the invention is
optimally used in the case of a CD.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Illustrative embodiments of the invention are represented in the
drawing and are described in greater detail below. In the
drawings:
FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic view of a package according to the
invention, just one disc being accommodated in the package for the
sake of clarity and the package furthermore containing no text
insert;
FIG. 5 shows a diagrammatic view of the package according to FIG.
4, in the closed position and with text inserts inserted;
FIG. 6 shows a view of the inner side of a cover for the package
according to FIGS. 4 and 5;
FIG. 7 shows a section through the cover according to FIG. 6 in
accordance with the arrows VII--VII;
FIG. 8 shows a section through a detail of the cover according to
FIG. 6 in accordance with the arrows VIII--VIII;
FIG. 9 shows a section through a detail of the cover according to
FIG. 6 in accordance with the arrows IX--IX;
FIG. 10 shows a plan view of the disc carrier for the package
according to FIGS. 4 and 5;
FIG. 11 shows an elevation of the disc carrier according to FIG. 10
in accordance with the arrow XI;
FIG. 12 shows a section in accordance with the arrows XII--XII of
the disc carrier according to FIG. 10;
FIG. 13 shows a section in accordance with the arrows XIII--XIII in
FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 shows a section through a detail in accordance with the
arrows XIV--XIV in FIG. 12;
FIG. 15 shows a developed view for an insert;
FIG. 16 shows a diagrammatic view of the insert of FIG. 15 after
folding;
FIG. 17 corresponds to FIG. 15 but here shows an insert having
several pages;
FIG. 18 shows a diagrammatic view of the insert according to FIG.
17 after folding;
FIG. 19 shows a diagrammatic view of a text insert in booklet form
for use in an illustrated package for just one disc;
FIG. 20 shows a side view of a multiple package for a maximum of
six discs;
FIG. 21 shows a side view of another multiple package, and
FIG. 22 shows an elevation of the package according to FIG. 21 in
the form of a developed view.
The respective figures are drawn on an arbitrary scale, which is
not always the same.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The package according to FIGS. 4 to 14 is suitable for a maximum of
two discs 47 provided with a central center hole and comprises
three rectangular component parts 53 to 57 inclusive, connected to
one another so as to be swivellable about parallel swivelling axes
49 and 51. These parts are two mutually opposite covers 53 and 57
arranged on the outside and an intermediate part 55 arranged
between them, which is designed as a disc carrier. To hold a disc
47 clamped, the disc carrier has clamping elements 59 assigned to a
clamping arrangement 61. According to the invention, the swivelling
axes 49 and 51 of the disc carrier 55 provided between the two
covers 53 and 57 are situated alternately opposite one another, the
package thus having a zigzag shape in the opened position in FIG.
4. The two covers 53 and 57 do not have any clamping elements, thus
only the disc carrier 55 has clamping elements. The covers are
identical and are produced from a transparent plastic. On the side
of the swivelling axis 49, the cover 53 is provided with a
transversely extending extension 63 of sufficient depth to
accommodate an insert bearing a title 65 on the spine, this title
being indicated symbolically by XXXX in FIG. 5. The insert itself
is not illustrated in FIG. 4 but is described below. In FIG. 5, the
insert is denoted by 67. It is visible through the transparent
upper side of the cover 53 and through the transversely extending
extension 63. As already mentioned, cover 57 corresponds to cover
53 and consequently likewise has a transversely extending extension
(not visible in the drawing) for an insert having a title on the
spine. The swivelling axes 49 and 51 of each of the two covers are
located eccentrically relative to the disc carrier 55, i.e. in
relation to a center plane of the disc carrier, swivelling axis 49
is situated further towards the side of cover 53 and swivelling
axis 51 is situated further towards the side of cover 57. Together
with the presence of the transversely extending extension, this
feature makes possible a completely closed external shape of the
package, the inserts always being visible from the outside, looking
at the covers and the spine sides of the package, through each of
the transparent covers.
In the closed position, cf. FIG. 5, each of the covers 53 and 57 is
covered at the side by side parts 67 of the disc carrier 55
swivellably connected to the cover. In this way, the somewhat
vulnerable covers are completely protected from damage in the
closed position. Due to the use of this measure the side of the
package additionally has a firm and aesthetically pleasing
shape.
Some details of the cover 53 are described in greater detail with
reference to FIGS. 6 to 9.
The cover comprises an essentially flat main part 69, adjoining
which on the spine side is the transversely extending extension 63.
Transversely to this part--and hence parallel to the main part
69--there is a strip 71. As a result, the cover is U-shaped in
cross-section on the spine side. A desired reinforcement of the
cover at the location of the swivelling axis 49 is thereby obtained
and a possible means of enclosing a spine part of an insert, to be
described, is simultaneously provided. Side walls 73 extend
transversely to the main part 69 over almost the entire length. For
enclosing an insert, these side walls are provided in a manner
known per se with curved strips 77 separated from the main part 69
by slots 75. The height of the slots 75 is such that an insert can
be pushed under the curved strips 77 with a certain play.
On the spine side, a swivel peg 79 is provided on both sides of the
cover for the purpose of securing the cover swivellably in the disc
carrier 55. A snap-in knob 81 is provided in the vicinity of the
front side of the cover on each of the side walls 73, for the
purpose of snapping in the cover. Approximately in the center, the
side walls have a thinner part 74 so that contact between the disc
and the package is avoided.
Some details of the disc carrier 55 are described in greater detail
with reference to FIGS. 10 to 14 inclusive. The disc carrier
comprises an essentially flat main part 83, having side walls 67
extending transversely thereto. The clamping elements 59 assigned
to the central clamping arrangement 61 are situated in the center
of the main part 83. As illustrated, in particular, in FIG. 12, the
disc carrier is provided on both sides with peg-shaped clamping
elements provided in a circle and distributed regularly with
intermediate spaces 85, a peg 59 on one side being situated at a
point at which an intermediate space 85 is provided on the other
side. As a result, the disc carrier 55 can be produced from plastic
in a single operation as an injection-moulded part but is
nevertheless suitable for holding a disc on both sides.
For the purpose of satisfactory mounting of the swivel pegs 79 of
the cover 53 in the disc carrier, the latter is provided at one of
its ends with through bearing openings 87. Wedge-shaped slots 89
and 91 are provided to enable the covers to be mounted by means of
a snap-in connection on the disc carrier. Wedge-shaped slots 93 and
95 and snap-in spaces 97 and 99 are provided for the purpose of a
snap closure of the cover by means of the snap-in knobs 81.
As FIG. 12 clearly shows, the bearing openings 86 and 87 are
eccentrically positioned. The shape of the disc carrier 55 can be
considered overall to be diametrically symmetrical with respect to
the center C of the main part 83 (FIGS. 11-12). To facilitate the
removal of a disc from the package, the main part 83 is provided
with four gripping hollows 101. As FIG. 4 shows, these can be
through openings. If desired, however, these openings can be
provided completely or partially with a bottom, e.g. two on each
side, to avoid a situation in which a disc on the other side of the
disc carrier can be touched through a gripping hollow. A further
detail to be mentioned for the sake of completeness is that the
clamping arrangement 61 has annular projections 103 on each side of
the main part 83 of the disc carrier, more specifically for
supporting a positioned disc in an area around the center hole and
outside the information-bearing area of the disc. Recesses 105 are
provided on the front side of the covers for opening the cover
concerned with the aid of a fingernail or a fingertip.
FIGS. 15 to 18 show possible embodiments of inserts with text or
images for a package such as that illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.
FIGS. 15 and 16 relate to an insert 107 having two sheets 109 and
111, which can be printed on both sides, and a spine part 113 for a
spine text. Between the sheets 109 and 111 there is a folding
groove 115. Folding groove 117 is situated between the spine part
113 and sheet 109 and there is a further folding groove between the
spine part 113 and a further part 121. The spine part 113 and the
further part 121 are not as wide as the sheets 109 and 111, more
specifically such that, in the folded condition, cf. FIG. 16, the
spine part and the further part do not impair the fitting of the
insert under the curved strips 77. The spine part 113 serves for
the fitting of the spine text 65, the further part 121 rests
against the strip 61 of the cover 53 and can likewise be provided
with an imprint.
Instead of four printable sides, the insert can, as an alternative,
comprise, for example, eight printable sides, cf. FIGS. 17 and 18.
In this embodiment there are four sheets 123 to 129, between which
folding grooves 131 to 135 are provided. As in the case of the
embodiment according to FIGS. 15 and 16, a narrower spine part 137
and a further part 139 with associated folding grooves 141 and 143
are provided.
If the package illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 were modified for just
one disc, for which purpose the disc carrier 55 would have to have
clamping elements 59 on only one side, then it would be
advantageous to use a text insert 144 as illustrated in FIG. 19,
which could have a title page 145, a spine 147 and a number of
pages 149 of text or images. For the purpose of fitting a text
insert 144 in the cover 53, the width of the insert could be chosen
such that the insert as a whole would fit between the curved strips
77. As regards the thickness, this can be such that the insert fits
between the main part 69 of the cover 53 and the strip 71. The
space between the cover and the disc carrier is thereby almost
completely filled by the text insert. It is also possible to design
the title page 145 in such a way that it fits under the curved
strips 77. As a result, the insert is opened at the moment the
cover 53 is opened. The insert 144 can have an unusual thickness
for use in a disc package if no disc is arranged on the relevant
side of the disc carrier. By virtue of this, the package according
to the invention offers a significant advantage over the known
single package according to FIGS. 2 and 3, where this is of course
not possible.
It has been found that the package as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5,
i.e. with only one disc carrier 55, can be made with principal
dimensions of essentially 142.2.times.124.6.times.10.4 mm. This
means that the principal dimensions correspond exactly to those of
the known individual CD package as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.
For the purpose of display in the sales stands customary in the
trade, the new package according to this embodiment is consequently
readily interchangeable. The text insert 144 can have dimensions of
essentially 138.times.130.times.3.3 mm, the space in the individual
package according to the invention with principal dimensions which
correspond to those of the known individual CD package thus being
optimally used.
The package according to FIG. 20 can be regarded as an extension of
the package illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Here, there are identical
covers 151 and 153 which can be identical to the covers 53 and 57
of the package already described. There are a plurality of
intermediate parts, including three identical disc carriers
155-159, which can correspond completely to the disc carrier 55 of
the individual package described. There are further intermediate
parts 161 or 163 between the disc carriers. The shape of these
further intermediate parts is at least approximately that of two
covers joined together back to back. Like the other parts they are
produced as a single part from plastics. Each of the intermediate
parts 161 and 163 acts On each of its sides as a cover for an
adjacent disc carrier. Intermediate part 161 thus acts as a cover
for disc carriers 155 and 157 and intermediate part 163 acts as a
cover for disc carriers 157 and 159. In this way a package has been
obtained which is suitable for packaging up to six discs. Since the
intermediate parts 161 and 163 are designed as covers joined
together back to back, inserts can be fitted on both sides to each
of these intermediate parts. In this way, it is possible to employ
a total of up to six inserts, for example an individual insert for
each disc. The spine text of each individual insert is visible from
the outside of the package and this may be described as unique
feature of the package of the invention.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, a package according to the invention can
be constructed from just three plastic parts, which are assigned to
just two different categories, namely from two covers, which are
assigned to a first category of component parts, and a single disc
carrier which is assigned to a second category of component parts.
The package according to FIG. 20 can be constructed from component
parts assigned to three different categories, namely from two outer
covers, which are assigned to a first category of component parts,
disc carriers, which are assigned to a second category of component
parts, and intermediate parts which are assigned to a third
category. It is thus possible to put together packages for any
number of discs using only three different types of component
parts. At the same time, it is possible to use inserts of just one
single type.
Many different packages are possible within the framework of the
invention, all of them comprising covers arranged on the outside
and intermediate parts arranged between said covers, these covers
and intermediate parts being connected to one another alternately
in articulated fashion to form a single package. Thus, for example,
in the case of the package according to FIGS. 4 and 5, at least one
of the covers could simultaneously be used as disc carrier if the
cover is provided centrally with a clamping arrangement
corresponding to the clamping arrangement 61 of the disc carrier
55. If both covers are to act as disc carriers, the package of
FIGS. 4 and 5 could be used to package up to four discs. In this
case, however, it is not easily possible to offer a package whose
thickness is no greater than that of the known individual CD
package according to FIGS. 2 and 3.
Another possible embodiment of a multiple package is described in
greater detail with reference to the schematic example illustrated
in FIGS. 21 and 22. In the case of this package, two covers 165 and
167 with three intermediate parts 169-173 acting as disc carriers
provided between them are present. The respective parts of the
package are connected together swivellably like the links of a
chain, cf. FIG. 22. The covers 165 and 167 can be identical. The
disc carriers 169 and 173 can also correspond to one another
completely. On one side only in each case, they have a reduction
175 and 177 respectively, which fits into the cover at the position
of a swivelling axis. The central disc carrier 171 has reductions
179 on both sides for the purpose of connection to disc carriers
169 and 173 in the vicinity of the articulation axes concerned.
Basically, like the package according to FIG. 20, this package too
can be extended ad infinitum.
The invention has been described in comparison with the known CD
packages illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. However, the possibility
that the package according to the invention has other, as yet
unmentioned advantages in comparison with other known packages is
not excluded, this depending on the construction of these other
packages. Compared to all other disc packages known hitherto, the
invention offers the advantage that it can be rendered suitable for
any desired number of discs, that it can be constructed from a
small number of standardized component parts, has small outside
dimensions, is inexpensive and, if crystal-clear plastic is used
for the covers in combination with inserts bearing tasteful printed
images and/or text, can have an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Furthermore, it is not possible in any of the packages known
hitherto for packaging more than two discs to use for each disc an
individual insert, the spine text of which can be read from the
outside with the package closed.
* * * * *